I thought this Sora was interesting for three reasons.
But let me say from the get-go that this image isn’t my best technically. The light was harsh, the image has been cropped significantly and the setting is full of clutter.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I found this Sora mid-afternoon three months ago on a small private pond along a gravel road in Montana’s Centennial Valley. The bird wasn’t particularly close but I took a bunch of shots of it anyway and I’m posting this one because:
- Soras have been a nemesis species for me for a good long time. Though they’re widely distributed and even abundant in some areas they’re also very shy and secretive and they’re much more often heard than seen. I occasionally get glances of them through thick vegetation but this was one of the very few times I’ve found one completely out in the open.
- I believe this is the first time I’ve ever seen one swimming. Though a little research tells me that they “readily swim and dive” and “occasionally feed in open water like a coot” (as this one is doing) it’s a behavior that was new to this bird photographer.
- Soras feed primarily on the seeds of wetland plants and aquatic invertebrates so the big mouthful that this bird was taking in intrigued me enough to…
crop tightly on the food item to see if I could tell for sure what it is. I can’t, but I strongly suspect it to be a tuber of some sort (though to my eye some of those projections at the rear do somewhat resemble the legs of a weird-looking aquatic invertebrate).
The “whinny call” of a Sora is one of the most distinctive calls of any marsh bird and since they’re much more often heard than seen I thought some of my readers might be interested in hearing it. It’s my bet that some who have never or seldom seen the bird will instantly recognize the call, which can be heard here (be sure to scroll down to the “whinny call”).
Ron
Never seen the tongue before, is this what they look like in non-breeding plumage?(without the bright yellow bill?) Usually I see them skulking around the reeds, great capture.
I really enjoyed this. I love when you zoom in on the little things like what was in its beak. 😀
Great shots Ron! They are a very elusive bird.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Love those calls. Thank you.
The tuber looks as if the Sora may have bitten off more than it can chew though.
And it is a very pretty bird indeed.
EC, I’ll have to remember to include links to calls more often when it’s appropriate.
Fascinating. My first impression of the food item was an aquatic invertebrate, although it is nothing I’d come close to being able to identify. And the close-up makes it look like a tuber. Glad you had the opportunity to see this bird in the open. I listened to the call, and it’s definitely something easily identifiable. Would love to be able to see a Sora.
I hope you see one some day, Susan. Or ten…
Beautiful photo, and I don’t mind the crop at all. I am not at all familiar with the Sora, so will pay closer attention. I always like shots that show them eating! Thanks for the informative blog!!!
Agreed, Jane, when they’re eating or showing other behaviors it often makes the image more interesting. Thank you.
I listened to all the calls and none of them seemed familiar…wonder why…I must have heard them…was in too many areas that probably had them. I’m beginning to realize, sadly, how very, very oblivious I’ve been most of my life and how many, many, MANY opportunities to experience the really amazing things that were all around me were unfortunately missed……You’ve been opening these old eyes pretty late in the game!!! …I wish there was a way to open the eyes of the younger ones much sooner than you’ve opened mine…..
Patty, “Oblivious” is relative and from what I know of you I think you were much, much less oblivious than most folks during your younger years, especially as compared to most people today.
Just listened to the link again…heard a Red-winged Blackbird and a water fall in the background…probably heard a Sora many timesand just wrote it off as “a bird”….It’s as if I listened to the orchestra of life, but paid little attention to individual muscicians…sad….so many opportunities wasted.
Don’t feel bad Patty!! I realize now at 69 that I missed a lot, especially of the natural world. But look at it this way – we are open to it now and therefore are enjoying lifetime learning.
True…
Brilliant of you to catch one in the open AND swimming! As you said, these little “chickens of the reeds” don’t often get caught out in the open. As the winter migrants begin settling into the marshes around here, once one starts “whinnying” about a dozen more take up the chorus and it soon gets deafening!
I love their rich, subtle plumage.
Interesting Wally, I don’t think I’ve ever heard more than one at a time.
Great shots as usual.
Weird looking invertebrate or plant piece in its mouth.
The projection hanging down almost looks like a claw or pincer of some kind.
“The projection hanging down almost looks like a claw or pincer of some kind.”
I thought the same thing, Dick, though I suspect it’s likely a rootlet of some kind. Not sure though…
Exactly as you predicted, I have heard that distinctive call several times, but have never seen a sora.
Ha, every once in a great while I’m right! Thank you, Ken.
Hi! beautiful photo! I never heard of this bird! Thanks for sharing ! Even a old lady of 83 years can still learn new things! Ha ha Have a great day!
Thank you, Hummingbird Lover. And even this old man is still learning things. It helps to make life interesting.
“Even an old lady of 83 years can learn new things”… Boy! Am I glad to hear that!!!
I wondered if you’d notice that coincidence, Patty…
Patty, whatever your chronological age, you are very young at heart, and I’m sure that you learn something new every day. Not only that, your comments certainly get the rest of us thinking… and frequently laughing. I think that a good part of being ‘old’ has to do with attitude, and your attitude is just not right for being old! 🙂
I’m happy for your capture of this shy bird, Ron!! I checked out the whinny call along with three others the Sora makes – all so different from each other! Thanks for another interesting post.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jo Ann. Thanks.
Interesting! 🙂 I know I’ve never seen one tho the call does sound like something I’ve heard from time to time. Whatever it was eating – almost looks like a young cattail shoot – it looks like it was going to choke on it – probably not. 🙂 It is a pretty little bird.
“almost looks like a young cattail shoot”
It certainly could be that, Judy. I watched it feed for quite a while and this was the only time it took in something anywhere near this large. I think they’re pretty birds too.